Sunday, December 17, 2006

What can we say about the night of December 16th, 2006? Can it get any cooler than receiving an invite to perform at the home of an Academy Award-winning actress?! The answer is yes -- performing for a person who (incidentally!) meets the above criteria, yet someone who is down to earth, gracious, and one who simply radiates humanity. That is Marcia Gay Harden, a genuine human being! Marcia fell in love with the chorus when she saw the kids perform at the Rainbow Room last month, and followed through on an invitation for them to sing at her home for a very intimate private holiday party! The kids were treated as honored guests, and we were all very appreciative of Marcia, her husband, family, and friends for the utmost in hospitality!

The kids performed magnificently! They had Marcia and the rest of her guests alternately in tears and smiles! It was so sweet to see Marcia's kids and their little friends singing along with the chorus. Aside from performing inside her home, chorus members said that the highlights of the trip included caroling outside in the neighborhood with Marcia, and playing afterwards with her adorable kids! We thank Marcia Gay Harden sincerely for giving the kids (and their loyal entourage!!) a night they will never forget!

If you haven't seen the Rainbow Room performance where we first caught Marcia's eye and ear, check out:http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/2006/11/and-finally-rainbow-room-performance.html

And to hear what Marcia says to the chorus, and some inspiring words for them, check out:http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/2006/11/some-bonus-rainbow-room-photovideo.html

Below are some pictures from the party. I will also begin to compile some video highlights of the event which I will post later....

(Click pics to enlarge)

Marcia introduces us to her guests!

The kids sing their hearts out for Marcia and her guests!

Marcia poses with the kids!

A'caroling we go!

Dario leads the chorus, and the neighborhood joins in on "Silent Night"!

Marcia says goodbye and wishes us all happily holidays! The baby Marcia was holding wasn't happy to see that the chorus was leaving.... (TOO cute)

4 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Hey Mr.B it's bannana. just 2 let u know sorry I couldn't make it to Marcia's house but when I get the tape of the christmas show I was in I'll bring on a wednesday because that's when u have my class. bye!

HI, I've become obsessed with your chorus today, and have spent two hours looking at youtube and your blog. If I get fired, I'm blaming you. I'm really impressed how you've taught the kids to not over sing. "O happy Day" from 2006 is a good example of how most youth choruses sing. In 2009, everything has changed for the better!

We started a chorus in a pretty bad neighborhood in DC about 10 months ago. So far it's been a big success! Check out americanyouthchorus.org

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol